Bereavement during lockdown: The potential impact of COVID-19 restrictions on grief and post-traumatic stress disorder in a Turkish population

The current study examined whether perceived disruption to bereavement via suppression of sociocultural death rite traditions could be linked to core bereavement and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in Turkish individuals who lost their close relatives to COVID-19. The sample included patients who consulted the clinic, presenting with self-reported bereavement issues related to coping, sleep, and eating, as well as individuals who sought general grief counselling. Participants (n=52) completed a Demographic Information and Bereavement Experience (DIBEF) form with items probing participants’ demographics, experience of attending rituals, and receiving social support. The final item inquired the rating of perceived disruption to bereavement due to COVID-19 restrictions (perceived disruption score-PDS). The Core Bereavement Items (CBI) scale and the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) were also used to measure symptomology. The results revealed that 92.3% of the participants did not receive condolence visitors, 98.1% did not get to say goodbye, and 78.8% were unable to practice their religious duties. Regression analysis suggested that PDS was a significant predictor of the CBI scores while it was not associated with PCL-C scores. The potential role of perceived disruption to bereavement in aggravating the grief response is discussed regarding the dual process model of coping with bereavement. Health authorities should thus introduce additional support mechanisms such as technology-based grief counselling, tailored to cultural values and individual needs. Relevant bodies should also ensure the accessibility of virtual platforms through which individuals could connect with others and participate in rituals during future pandemics or other humanitarian crises.